Traditional Medicine

Traditional medicine encompasses holistic health practices, skills, knowledge, and beliefs from different cultures, using nature-based remedies like herbs, spiritual therapies, and manual techniques to maintain health or treat illnesses, often passed down generations. Key systems include Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Unani, focusing on restoring balance in mind, body, and environment, with many people in developing nations relying on it for primary care. The World Health Organization supports its safe integration with modern medicine through research and policy

.

 

Key Characteristics

• Holistic Approach: Views health as balance between mind, body, spirit, and environment, not just absence of disease.
• Nature-Based: Relies heavily on plants (herbal medicine), minerals, and animal products.
• Cultural Roots: Deeply embedded in specific cultural histories, passed down through generations.
• Diverse Practices: Includes acupuncture, yoga, meditation, herbal remedies, dietary changes, and spiritual healing. 

Examples of Systems

• Ayurveda (India): Balances the body's three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) using herbs, diet, and lifestyle.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Uses herbs, acupuncture, and techniques to balance qi (energy).
• Unani (Middle East/India): Based on balancing four humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile). 

Modern Context & Integration

• Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM): When used alongside or instead of mainstream medicine, it's often called CAM.
• Integration: Efforts, led by the WHO, aim to integrate evidence-based traditional practices with modern medicine for comprehensive care.
• Research: Growing research explores the safety and effectiveness of traditional remedies, like herbs for pain, circulation, and immune support. 

#Pharmacist - Kaha ka? - Neither for Industry nor for Healthcare, but for Pharmacare

#Pharmacist - Kaha ka?

    - Neither for Industry nor for Healthcare, but for Pharmacare

Pharmacists in India face a stark reality: 

There is no exclusivity for them in pharmaceutical industry, R&D, or marketing. Except Diploma Pharmacists graduates and even Clinical Pharmacists with PharmD have no slots to serve in Healthcare

Then, what for these courses are conducted to ruin the life of young aspiring Pharmacists?

 With thousands of colleges producing an overwhelming number of graduates each year, industry is not a viable source of employment.

Shockingly, the IPC which is a conglomeration of IPA, IGPA, APTI, IHPA and PCI has never considered this issue to evolve a solution, inspite of repeatedly voicing the need. 

Irony is IPC wants huge number of Pharmacists from various streams to attend and participate in various activities! but seldom addresses their issues since 1968.

Adding to this crisis are restrictions in our very laws:

Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 does not grant pharmacists exclusive rights in manufacturing, R&D, or marketing; wholesale drug licenses can go to non-pharmacists; even in retail, ownership lies with anyone, with pharmacists reduced to mere signatories. Clinical roles such as counseling or therapy monitoring are not mandated at all.

Pharmacy Act, 1948 is confined largely to registration. Unlike doctors or nurses, pharmacists have no statutory role in patient care. Dispensing is mandatory only on paper—weak enforcement allows rampant proxy practice. Education provisions remain outdated, failing to orient graduates to healthcare needs.

This legal framework leaves them in “Na ghar ka, na ghat ka”—neither industry-recognized nor healthcare-anchored. Yet authorities, academicians, and faculty remain indifferent, even as NAAC delists pharmacy from Health Sciences.

The way forward lies in restructuring. We need intellectually smart teachers to shape smart pharmacists. 

Healthcare is the only sector with infinite potential to absorb all category of Pharmacists —from dispensing to logistics to clinical pharmacy which all together is PharmaCare support to healthCare.

Every hospital unit requires at least one clinical pharmacist and one or two chief pharmacists, besides diploma pharmacists. To make this a reality, pharmacy must be firmly recognized as a Health Science, with education restructured to produce competent professionals.

Since PCI has taken up the task of Updating the B. Pharm Curriculum it should seriously consider to incorporate all activities required to support HealthCare under PharmaCare.

Further, the Profession needs a Supportive laws. Hence, a separate law "#PharmacyPracticeRegulationAct should be legislated that empowers  the Pharmacist with due Accountability. This will eradicate the menace of Certificate renting, Absentee Pharmacist, Corruption arising out of this violation. 

#PCI

#APTI

#IPA

#IPC2025

#Pharmacist 

#Industry 

#Healthcare

POV: Bhagwan PS

Pharmacy Practice is increasingly labelled as “illegal,” but this argument reflects a policy vacuum rather than a professional failure.

#TalkingIsLegal

     - Not Practicing..!

Pharmacy Practice is increasingly labelled as “illegal,” but this argument reflects a policy vacuum rather than a professional failure.

 The real issue is not the teaching of Pharmacy Practice or PharmaCare, but the absence of a comprehensive legal framework that clearly defines and integrates the pharmacist’s patient-care role within India’s healthcare system.

Healthcare today is medicine-intensive. Polypharmacy, chronic diseases, ageing populations, and medication-related harm are now routine. 

Regulating medicines as products alone is no longer sufficient. Modern healthcare requires PharmaCare-oriented professional practice, where pharmacists are trained and accountable for medication safety, therapy monitoring, patient counselling, continuity of care, and systems-based interventions that directly influence outcomes.

Insisting that the law must evolve before professional capacity is built reverses the natural order of health-system development. 

Across health professions, education has always anticipated emerging roles long before statutes formally recognised them.

Pharmacy Practice and PharmaCare education preparing pharmacists for structured patient-care responsibilities is therefore is legitimate and is necessary and forward-looking.

The confusion arises from India’s fragmented legal framework. The pharmacist’s role is scattered across the Pharmacy Act and the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, with no single statute clearly defining pharmacists as accountable patient-care professionals or formal providers of PharmaCare service within the healthcare team. 

This legal silence enables misinterpretation, under-utilisation of trained pharmacists, and the mistaken branding of structured professional education as “unauthorised practice.”

What India urgently needs is a comprehensive Pharmacy Practice Act that formally recognises and regulates PharmaCare, clearly defining scope, responsibility, accountability, and collaborative boundaries. 

Such legislation would align education with practice, strengthen patient safety, reduce medication-related harm, and integrate pharmacists meaningfully into healthcare delivery.

Suppressing Pharmacy Practice and PharmaCare education will not improve safety; it will only widen the gap between healthcare needs and system capacity. 

The real policy question is not why these competencies are being taught, but why regulation has not  yet been put in place to keep  pace with the realities of modern healthcare.?

#PharmacyPractice 

#PharmaCare #PharmacyPracticeAct

#PatientSafety #MedicationSafety

#HealthcarePolicy #HealthPolicyIndia

#PharmacyEducation #ClinicalPharmacy

#AIPDA

#APTI

#PharmacistsInHealthcare

#PCI #NMC #CDSCO #DTAB #MinistryOfHealth

Pov: Bhagwan PS

#Can Pharmacy Practice Be A Reality In India?

#CanPharmacyPracticeBeARealityInIndia?

Let’s be honest about Pharmacy Practice in India.

🤔 Pharmacy Practice Regulations (PPR) 2015–25 are repeatedly cited as proof that pharmacy practice is legally recognized in India. 

❌In reality, that claim does not stand up to scrutiny. PPR 2015–25 were framed by the Pharmacy Council of India under the Pharmacy Act, 1948 to hoodwink PharmD students and Graduates.

☑️But the Pharmacy Act primarily governs education and registration. 

❌It does not confer enforceable patient-care authority, nor does it empower PCI to regulate clinical practice on the ground. 

❌Calling PPR a “regulation” does not automatically make it enforceable.

☑️On the field, real power lies with State Drug Control Departments under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. 

☑️Licensing, inspections, prosecutions, and control over dispensing are all under FDA jurisdiction. 

❌PPR provisions are not embedded in State Drug Rules, and therefore remain legally optional.

❌FDAs are not bound to enforce what the law does not mandate.

☑️That is why pharmacy practice in India exists only in pockets. 

☑️A few hospitals run clinical pharmacy services because administrators allow it not the system.

☑️A few pharmacists counsel patients because they personally believe in it.

❌This is not system-driven practice;

 It is goodwill-driven survival.

☑️ The uncomfortable truth is this: 

• PPR 2015–25 is not legally tenable as an enforcement instrument. 

• It creates expectations without authority and 

(Like Alcohol, It creates desire but takes away performance..)

• It assigns responsibility without power. 

Worse,

• It gives the illusion of progress while shielding regulators from accountability for not securing supportive legislation.

👉 If pharmacy practice is truly the goal, then guidelines are not enough. 

👉 The profession needs statutory backing—A comprehensive

 "The Indian Pharmacy Practice Regulation Act".

👉 Fresh Rules have to be framed after the Act is put in place.

❌ Without that, PPR remains a document of intent, not law.

😢 Continuing to celebrate PPR while ignoring its legal weakness is intellectual dishonesty. (Bankruptcy) 

📢Pharmacy practice will not be built on aspirations, circulars, or seminars, Webinars of so called Resource Persons. 

👉It will be built only when law, administration, and accountability are aligned.

Till then, let’s stop pretending.🫢

#PCI, #PPR15-25,

#MinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfare 

#AIPDA 

#PharmD 

#APTI

POV: Bhagwan PS

Pharmacy Practice is increasingly labelled as “illegal,” but this argument reflects a policy vacuum rather than a professional failure.

#TalkingIsLegal

     - Not Practicing..!

Pharmacy Practice is increasingly labelled as “illegal,” but this argument reflects a policy vacuum rather than a professional failure.

 The real issue is not the teaching of Pharmacy Practice or PharmaCare, but the absence of a comprehensive legal framework that clearly defines and integrates the pharmacist’s patient-care role within India’s healthcare system.

Healthcare today is medicine-intensive. Polypharmacy, chronic diseases, ageing populations, and medication-related harm are now routine. 

Regulating medicines as products alone is no longer sufficient. Modern healthcare requires PharmaCare-oriented professional practice, where pharmacists are trained and accountable for medication safety, therapy monitoring, patient counselling, continuity of care, and systems-based interventions that directly influence outcomes.

Insisting that the law must evolve before professional capacity is built reverses the natural order of health-system development. 

Across health professions, education has always anticipated emerging roles long before statutes formally recognised them.

Pharmacy Practice and PharmaCare education preparing pharmacists for structured patient-care responsibilities is therefore is legitimate and is necessary and forward-looking.

The confusion arises from India’s fragmented legal framework. The pharmacist’s role is scattered across the Pharmacy Act and the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, with no single statute clearly defining pharmacists as accountable patient-care professionals or formal providers of PharmaCare service within the healthcare team. 

This legal silence enables misinterpretation, under-utilisation of trained pharmacists, and the mistaken branding of structured professional education as “unauthorised practice.”

What India urgently needs is a comprehensive Pharmacy Practice Act that formally recognises and regulates PharmaCare, clearly defining scope, responsibility, accountability, and collaborative boundaries. 

Such legislation would align education with practice, strengthen patient safety, reduce medication-related harm, and integrate pharmacists meaningfully into healthcare delivery.

Suppressing Pharmacy Practice and PharmaCare education will not improve safety; it will only widen the gap between healthcare needs and system capacity. 

The real policy question is not why these competencies are being taught, but why regulation has not  yet been put in place to keep  pace with the realities of modern healthcare.?

#PharmacyPractice 

#PharmaCare #PharmacyPracticeAct

#PatientSafety #MedicationSafety

#HealthcarePolicy #HealthPolicyIndia

#PharmacyEducation #ClinicalPharmacy

#AIPDA

#APTI

#PharmacistsInHealthcare

#PCI #NMC #CDSCO #DTAB #MinistryOfHealth

Pov: Bhagwan PS

10 CORE QUESTIONS TO PHARMACY LEADERS & REGULATORS (1948–2025)- Bhagwan PS

10 CORE QUESTIONS TO PHARMACY LEADERS & REGULATORS (1948–2025)

1. Why has the Pharmacy Act, 1948 failed to legally define, protect, and enforce Pharmacy Practice, leaving pharmacists without statutory professional authority even after 75+ years?

2. How and why did pharmacy regulation become academically dominated, excluding practicing pharmacists, healthcare administrators, and industry professionals, and what damage did this regulatory capture cause?

3. On what rationale were thousands of pharmacy colleges approved without ensuring employability, practice roles, or healthcare integration for graduates?

4. Why were chronic inspection malpractices (ghost faculty, fake infrastructure, borrowed facilities) tolerated or normalized, and who is accountable for this systemic fraud?

5. Why has no regulator or professional body been held personally or institutionally accountable for repeated failures in education quality, professional outcomes, and patient safety?

6. Why were clinical pharmacy, PharmD, and advanced programs introduced without corresponding legal authority to practice, thereby misleading students and families?

7. Why has pharmacist presence at dispensing points, hospitals, and public health programs not been strictly enforced, despite clear patient-safety implications?

8. Why have professional associations largely remained silent or complicit, prioritizing events and positions over legal reform and whistleblower protection?

9. How has the absence of a Pharmacy Practice law contributed to public-health failures, including medication errors, irrational drug use, and antibiotic resistance?

10. Do you accept the need for a complete structural reset—including a separate Pharmacy Practice & Education Regulation Act, reconstitution of the regulator, and criminal accountability for past educational fraud?

#PCI #MoHFW, #ÇDSCO, 

#IPA, #IHPA, #APTI, 

#Pharmacists 

#Exofficios

Pharmacy Intern and Resident

Pharmacy Intern is a student (PharmD candidate) gaining required experience under supervision, while a Pharmacy Resident is a post-graduate pharmacist (a licensed professional) pursuing advanced, specialized training after graduation, both roles involving patient care but at different educational and licensure stages, with residency being optional and enhancing specialized career paths. Interns work towards their degree, performing basic pharmacist duties with a license, whereas Residents, fully licensed, deepen expertise in areas like critical care, oncology, or administration through structured programs (PGY-1, PGY-2). 

Pharmacy Intern

• Status: A pharmacy student (PharmD candidate) completing required experiential rotations.
• Timing: During their degree program, often the final year.
• Role: Assists licensed pharmacists, performs patient counseling, assessments, and dispensing under direct supervision, often with an intern license.
• Goal: Fulfill graduation requirements and gain foundational practice skills. 

Pharmacy Resident

• Status: A fully licensed pharmacist who has graduated from pharmacy school.
• Timing: After graduation (Post-Graduate Year 1, or PGY-1) and potentially further (PGY-2 for specialization).
• Role: Advanced, independent (but supervised) patient care, research, education, and specialized rotations (e.g., critical care, infectious diseases).
• Goal: Develop expertise in a specific clinical area or management, gaining a competitive edge for specialized roles. 

Key Differences Summarized

• Education Level: Student vs. Graduate.
• Licensure: Intern license vs. Full pharmacist license.
• Purpose: Required training vs. Optional specialization.
• Scope: Foundational duties vs. Advanced clinical practice & research. 

Medical Intern and Resident

An intern is a medical school graduate in their first year of post-graduate training, often called a "first-year resident" in the U.S.. A resident is a doctor in their second year or any subsequent year of post-graduate training after the internship, specializing in a specific area. The primary difference is the level of training and experience; an intern is at the beginning, while a resident is further along, taking on more responsibility and working towards board certification in a specialty.  

Feature	Intern	Resident
Level of Training	First year of postgraduate medical training	Years 2+ of postgraduate training
Autonomy	Works under close supervision and guidance	Takes on more responsibility and supervises interns and medical students
Specialization	General training to be licensed to practice	Specializing in a particular medical field
Experience	New to clinical practice after medical school	Has completed the initial internship year
Role	Completes tasks under direction	Manages patient care, diagnoses, and treatment plans

No, there is no equivalent of "deemed boards" for schools in the way there are "deemed-to-be-universities" for higher education in India.

No, there is no equivalent of "deemed boards" for schools in the way there are "deemed-to-be-universities" for higher education in India. 

The concept of "deemed to be university" is a specific accreditation status granted to a higher educational institution (like a college) by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Education, allowing it autonomy in setting its own syllabus, conducting examinations, and awarding degrees. 

School education is structured differently: 

• Governing Bodies: Schools are affiliated with a number of recognized boards. These are established by either the central government or state governments and have the authority to prescribe curricula and conduct examinations for classes 10 and 12.
• Central Boards: The primary national boards are the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), and the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
• State Boards: Each state has its own board of education (e.g., Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan) that governs the schools within that state.
• International Boards: Some schools also offer international curricula like the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). 

All these boards operate under the oversight of government bodies and are part of a recognized system of school education. The status of "deemed" with the autonomy it implies for higher education institutions does not apply to school boards. 

USA :

That is correct; there is no direct equivalent of "deemed boards" for high schools in the United States in the way the "deemed-to-be-universities" concept functions in the Indian higher education system. 

Here's why:

• Decentralized System: The U.S. does not have a centralized national education system or a federal body that grants a special "deemed" status to school boards. Educational standards and recognition are primarily set at the state and local levels.
• Accreditation Model: Instead of a "deemed" status granted by a central government ministry (like in India for universities), U.S. high schools rely on a system of accreditation by independent, private, regional, or national agencies recognized by the Department of Education. This accreditation process assures a certain level of educational quality and ensures that diplomas are widely recognized by other institutions and employers.
• State-Level Recognition: State departments of education oversee public high schools and ensure they meet state-mandated requirements. A diploma from a state-recognized public high school is generally considered valid and standard.
• Private School Oversight: Private high schools also exist and typically seek accreditation from one of the recognized accrediting bodies to validate their educational programs. 

In essence, the U.S. system uses the general concept of accreditation to establish educational legitimacy across the board, rather than a specific "deemed" status for select, high-performing boards or institutions in K-12 education.

Parapharmacy

A parapharmacy is a retail store that sells non-medicinal health, hygiene, and beauty products, such as cosmetics, skincare, vitamins, and baby care items. These stores offer products that do not require a medical prescription and are distinct from traditional pharmacies, which are authorized to sell and dispense prescription and over-the-counter medications. 

Key characteristics:

Product range: Parapharmacies focus on products that support health and wellness without a prescription. This includes a wide selection of items related to beauty, skincare, hair care, sun care, and dietary supplements.

• Accessibility: They are often conveniently located, providing easy access for consumers.
• No prescription required: Unlike a traditional pharmacy, a parapharmacy does not sell or dispense prescription drugs.
• Guidance: Staff are often knowledgeable about the products they sell and can provide advice on their use and benefits.
• Business model: In some countries, like France, parapharmacies have grown as specialized retailers offering a wider choice than traditional pharmacies, sometimes managed by pharmacists who offer free skincare advice. 

A different POV : Pharmacists have failed to impress professionally and leave professional footprints in Healthcare Sector . Pharmacists have failed to impress professionally and leave professional footprints in Healthcare Sector OR Physicians have failed to impress professionally and leave professional footprints in Healthcare Sector.

A different POV : Pharmacists have failed to impress professionally and leave professional footprints in Healthcare Sector . Therefore requirement of a new course like Pharm D / Pharma D (PB), which will produce professionals called Pharmacist and Pharmacotherapist. 

Is it true ? Really!!! 

Pharmacists are HealthCare Professionals.

Lets be worth it.

Really!!!,  then why the term ' PharmaCare ' was coined.

Pharmacist A HealthCare professional? If so why pharmacy course is not?. Has the Pharmacy education been got included in National Health Education Manual?

Pharmacists have failed to impress professionally and leave professional footprints in Healthcare Sector 

OR

Physicians have failed to impress professionally and leave professional footprints in Healthcare Sector. 

Say No to DRx , use Pharmacist

DRx can have different meanings depending on the context, most commonly referring to "Drug Expert," a prefix used by some pharmacists in India to signify their professional expertise. 

As "Drug Expert" (Pharmacists) 

         Meaning: 

• The full form is DRug eXpert.   
• Purpose: 
• It is used by pharmacists to indicate their knowledge and expertise in medications and drug therapy, as well as their licensed and registered status. 
• Usage: 
• This is an informal prefix and not officially recognized by the Pharmacy Council of India, although it is gaining traction among pharmacists, especially in India. It is not the same as the "Dr." title for medical doctors. 
• 
  
• Eligibility: 
• Those who have completed professional pharmacy courses like B.Pharm and M.Pharm can use the title. 

don't rent your pharmacy license

Difference Between PCD(Propaganda Cum Distribution)(Standard) , Generic, and Ethical Pharma Sectors

Difference Between PCD, Generic, and Ethical Pharma Sectors

Difference between PCD, Generic, and Ethical Pharma Sectors? – The pharmaceutical industry is quite large. There are a lot of small enterprises and sectors inside it, which are in major focus. Across all sectors, Pharma Franchise and PCD Pharma Franchise are prominent. 

Simultaneously, the pharmaceutical industry is directly linked with the nation’s economic growth, which is an extra factor that boosts the popularity of the pharmaceutical business sector.

Difference Between PCD, Generic, and Ethical Pharma Sectors

It is necessary to distinguish between PCD, generic, and ethical pharma sectors. There is a wide difference between the three here.

1. PCD (Propaganda- Cum- Distribution)

PCD stands for propaganda-less distribution means a type of sector in which a pharma company contracts a franchise agreement with a person or group of people.

The PCD franchise business deals with marketing and distribution rights for products by the parent pharma company.

Under the PCD model, the entrepreneur is required to purchase the franchise rights of a pharma company and start selling their products. They usually interact to physicians and doctors to promote the company’s products.

A person, who wants to start a firm in this field, needs to invest a lesser amount. In addition, marketing and promotional costs will also be provided by the pharma company only.

2. Generic Sector

In this generic pharma sector, generic drugs are manufactured by a pharma company and sold directly to retailers with distribution channels and sales representatives support.

Generic medicines use a similar administration route and simultaneously display the brand name of the products. In addition, they have similar quality and performance levels. 

The advantage of being in the generic sector is that generic medicines are priced lower than branded drugs. It is an economically effective and efficient business.

Sometimes the making process can also change, which affects the cost of the drug. The cost of generic medicines is held much lower than that of branded medicines.

3. Ethical Pharma Sector

Ethical pharma is the traditional and most popular part of the pharma industry. Here, all types of medicinal medicines are spread through medical representatives.

Medical representatives share all necessary information with doctors. They aim to convince doctors about the merits of the products over others.

There are many marketing techniques and methods used with the doctor to promote a specific drug range.

Conclusion: 

PCD, generic, and ethical pharma are all three different types of business practices. However, the general point is that they all belong to the pharma family and have different distribution channels

PCD Pharma Model (Standard Pharma Products)

PCD in pharma stands for Propaganda Cum Distribution, which refers to a business model where a pharmaceutical company grants a franchisee the right to promote and distribute its products in a specific region. In this franchise system, the franchisee handles the marketing (promotion) and sales of the company's medicines without needing to establish a separate manufacturing unit, making it a low-investment option for entrepreneurs. 

• Propaganda: In this context, "propaganda" means the promotion and marketing of products, not misleading information. It involves activities like building brand awareness among healthcare professionals and consumers.
• Distribution: This refers to the actual distribution and sale of the pharmaceutical products within a defined geographical area.
• Franchise model: PCD is a type of franchise, where the parent company provides its brand, products, and sometimes marketing support to the franchisee, who operates with the established brand name and image.
• Benefits: This model is often attractive to individuals and smaller companies because it requires a lower initial investment compared to starting a full-fledged pharmaceutical company. The franchisee can also benefit from the parent company's brand reputation and an exclusive range of products. 

• - 
• PCD Pharma: This model, sometimes considered a "standard" business approach, involves marketing and distribution without significant R&D investment. A company gets the right to sell a parent company's products in a specific territory.

difference between Ethical , Standard and Generic pharma products

Ethical pharma focuses on innovation, research, and development of new, patented drugs, while generic pharma manufactures affordable, off-patent versions of these drugs. "Standard" is not a standard industry term for a type of pharmaceutical product; instead, it's more accurately understood in contrast to ethical and generic drugs as a potential way of referring to a non-promotional, or "PCD" (Propaganda-cum-Distribution) model, or simply a category of approved, quality-assured medicines. 

Feature	Ethical Pharma	Generic Pharma
Focus	Research and development of new, patented drugs.	Production of affordable, off-patent alternatives.
Cost	Higher, due to R&D and marketing costs.	Lower, due to the absence of R&D and patent costs.
Examples	New cancer treatments or vaccines.	A generic version of a branded medication, like Metformin being sold as Glucophage.
Marketing	Heavily marketed to healthcare professionals.	Focuses on cost-effectiveness and wide distribution.
Regulation	Subject to strict regulations for drug development and clinical trials.	Must meet drug equivalency standards to prove they are bioequivalent to the original drug.

Understanding "standard":

• PCD Pharma: This model, sometimes considered a "standard" business approach, involves marketing and distribution without significant R&D investment. A company gets the right to sell a parent company's products in a specific territory.
• Quality Assurance: In a general sense, all ethical and generic drugs approved by regulatory bodies are "standard" in that they have met the required safety, efficacy, and quality standards. 

Key takeaway: The primary distinction is between innovating new drugs (ethical) and producing affordable, bioequivalent copies (generic). 

What is the Difference Between Generic And Ethical Medicine?

• Posted By Sumesh Sharma

In This Article

1. What Are Ethical Medicines?
   1. What Are Generic Medicines?
   2. Differences Between Generic and Ethical Medicines
   3. Generic Vs Ethical Medicine In Pharma
      1. Final Thought 

What is the Difference Between Generic And Ethical Medicine? The pharmaceutical industry serves as a backbone for healthcare worldwide, delivering medicines to treat, manage, and prevent diseases. Among the vast categories of medications, generic and ethical medicines are the most prominent. While both aim to provide effective healthcare, their production, marketing, and distribution differ significantly. Understanding the difference between generic and ethical medicine can guide consumers, healthcare providers, and pharma professionals in making informed decisions.

This blog explores the differences between generic and ethical medicines, focusing on their definitions, cost structures, accessibility, regulations, and more.

What Are Ethical Medicines?

Ethical medicines, often referred to as branded or innovator drugs, are produced by pharmaceutical companies that have developed the product through extensive research and trials. 

These medicines are protected by patents, giving the company exclusive manufacturing and distribution rights for a set period.

Key Features of Ethical Medicines

1. Innovative: Result from years of research aimed at addressing specific medical needs.
2. Higher Costs: Pricing reflects R&D, marketing, and patenting investments.
3. Exclusive Branding: Marketed under unique names to build trust and recognition.
4. Limited Accessibility: Available only through prescriptions, ensuring controlled usage.

What Are Generic Medicines?

Generic medicines are alternatives to branded drugs that become available after the patent of the original product expires. These medicines must meet strict bioequivalence standards, ensuring that they are as effective and safe as the branded versions.

Key Features of Generic Medicines

1. Same Active Ingredients: They have identical active components to their branded counterparts.
2. Cost-Effective: Without marketing or R&D expenses, these medicines are significantly cheaper.
3. Widespread Availability: Easily accessible in pharmacies, making them an affordable option for many.
4. Regulated Quality: National health authorities, such as the FDA in the USA and CDSCO in India, oversee production to ensure high-quality standards.

Differences Between Generic and Ethical Medicines

Aspect	Generic Medicines	Ethical Medicines
Cost	Affordable due to low overhead expenses.	Higher cost due to R&D and branding investments.
Regulatory Approval	Requires bioequivalence tests.	Requires extensive clinical trials and studies.
Patent Protection	No patent protection; introduced after the original patent expires.	Protected by patents, offering exclusivity.
Marketing	Minimal promotion; relies on affordability and utility.	Heavily marketed to healthcare providers and consumers.
Accessibility	Readily available over the counter or with prescriptions.	Strictly available through prescriptions.

Generic Vs Ethical Medicine In Pharma

The Generic Pharma Business focuses on producing affordable, off-patent medications that match branded drugs in quality and effectiveness. It emphasises cost efficiency, large-scale production, and wide distribution, often catering to lower-income demographics and healthcare systems.

The Ethical Pharma Business, however, develops innovative medicines backed by extensive research and clinical trials. These drugs are patented, heavily marketed to healthcare professionals, and sold at higher prices to recover R&D costs.

Both business models play vital roles in healthcare, with generics ensuring accessibility and ethical pharma driving innovation.

Pharmacare Awareness Rallies are different from Healthcare Awareness Rallies

Pharmacare Awareness Rallies are different from Healthcare Awareness Rallies

"Prescription is decided by the doctor, but the brand of medicine should be chosen by the patient with the help of a pharmacist, based on the patient’s income."

"Prescription is decided by the doctor, but the brand of medicine should be chosen by the patient with the help of a pharmacist, based on the patient’s income."

🔍 1. Role of the Doctor:

Doctors are responsible for diagnosing the illness and prescribing the generic name of the medicine (e.g., Paracetamol, Amoxicillin).

This ensures that the treatment is medically appropriate and based on clinical judgment.

💊 2. Role of the Pharmacist:

A qualified pharmacist is trained in pharmacology, drug interactions, and therapeutic alternatives.

In #communitypharmacy practice, pharmacists help patients choose from available brands of the prescribed generic medicine.

They consider:

1. Patient’s income level

2.Availability of brands

3. Quality and reputation of manufacturers

Patient preferences (e.g., tablet size, packaging, ease of use)

👥 3. Role of the Patient:

The patient has the right to be informed and involved in the decision-making process.

With guidance from the pharmacist, the patient can select a brand that is affordable and effective, rather than being forced to buy a specific brand that may be expensive or unavailable.

⚖️ 4. Legal and Ethical Basis:

According to Pharmacy Practice Regulations and Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence in India:

Doctors are encouraged to prescribe generic names.

Pharmacists are legally allowed to dispense any brand of the prescribed generic, unless the prescription explicitly prohibits substitution.

This model promotes rational drug use, cost-effectiveness, and patient empowerment.

This model promotes rational drug use, cost-effectiveness, and patient empowerment.

It reduces healthcare costs and ensures access to essential medicines for all income groups.

This approach aligns with the principles of community pharmacy, where:

Doctors diagnose and prescribe generics.

Pharmacists guide brand selection.

Patients make informed choices based on affordability and need.

It promotes transparency, accessibility, and collaborative care—the foundation of a strong healthcare system.

Thanks

Rohit Gupta, Pharma Expert

The Power Shift : from Physicians to Pharmacists

Is it GAME OVER for Physicians ?

In India, big pharmaceutical companies are struggling to do business compared to small, room-based local companies. Everyone knows the reason money matters more than quality. That's why patients should choose their medicine brands with the help of registered pharmacists (RPh).

In which book: brand names of medicines given, and how do Drs decide their quality, Is there any specific subject available, If No, then please prescribe Gen-medicines

ऐसा कौन सा ब्रांड प्रिस्क्राइब किया जाता है जो सिर्फ़ अस्पताल या क्लिनिक में ही मिलता है? समझ नहीं आया। क्या इनोवेटर्स का कोई नया ब्रांड आ गया है? अगर हाँ, तो कृपया जानकारी दें।😃

Brands matter because of quality, agreed. But why so many doctors prescribing branded products from local companies instead of Indian MNCs or global MNCs, I really don’t understand the logic. Poor-quality medicines are harming innocent patients.

POV: Rohit Gupta

Indian FDA(The "Indian FDA" is not a single entity but refers to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the national regulatory body for drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics in India) Vs USFDA

#IndianFDAVsUSFDA.

source:ChatGPT

Quote'

1. In 2005, there were 3 infants aged under 6 months in the US where cough & cold medications were determined by medical examiners or coroners to be the underlying cause of death. 

2. More broadly, in that period (2004-2005), about 1,519 children under age 2 were treated in US emergency departments for adverse events including overdoses from cough and cold medications. 

3. In the 1930s, there were more than 100 deaths (mostly children) in the US from #DiethyleneGlycol (DEG) poisoning, including from Elixir Sulfanilamide, which was given for coughs/sore throats. That tragedy helped lead to major drug safety laws. 

4. There is no recent public record I found that gives a reliable count of how many deaths from FDA-approved or FDA-regulated cough syrups have occurred in, say, the last 10–20 years in the US specifically attributed to either contamination or misuse.

5. Many of the recent deaths globally from toxic cough syrups have been linked to products from outside the US. 

6. The most noteworthy fact is that

 the contaminated products which caused recent deaths abroad have not and cannot  entere the US drug supply chain.

Unquote'

Now the million dollar questions :

  i. Are we deficient in technology?

  ii. Are our Regulators deficient in 

       quality or in Character?

  iii  Are our FDA officers are as 

        accountable as their 

        counterparts in US - FDA

   iv. Are our Drug Laws are so weak 

         to let loose all lapse?

     v. Don't we have strong political 

          will to adopt Zero-Tolerance?

There are two institutions meant to safeguard the pharmacy profession and the integrity of medicines:

A. Department of Food and Drug Control

B. State Pharmacy Council

Both these institutions have their own inspectors.

Yet, despite that, medical shops continue to operate freely and openly even in the prolonged absence of pharmacists.

Due to the fear of pharmacy inspectors, the attendance of pharmacists in medical shops had slightly improved for some time.

However, after the government took over control of the State Pharmacy Council, inspectors have been left without an effective system to perform their duties, and once again, license conditions are being openly flouted, with unauthorized or fake persons running medical stores, posing a serious public health risk.

The Drugs Inspectors are unable to stop this menace.

It is also unfortunate that pharmacy-based NGOs in the state — such as the Indian Pharmaceutical Association and the Registered Pharmacists Association — have failed to rise issues affecting public health and patients safety..

POV: Bhagwan PS

The "Indian FDA" is not a single entity but refers to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the national regulatory body for drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics in India. It serves a similar function to the U.S. FDA, ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of medical products. In addition, individual states, like Maharashtra, have their own state-level "FDA" to handle state-specific food, drug, and cosmetic regulations.  

National regulatory authority Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO): 

The national regulatory authority responsible for ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices throughout India.
Role: 
CDSCO regulates the quality of medical products through the implementation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Headquarters: 
Located in New Delhi.
Drug Controller General of India (DCGI): 
The executive head of the CDSCO, who is responsible for regulating pharmaceutical and medical devices. State-level authorities

State FDA: 
Many states have their own Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce regulations at the state level.
Example: 
The Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra is an example of a state-level body responsible for food and drug safety within Maharashtra. Other international relevance

U.S. FDA India Office: The U.S. FDA also has an office in New Delhi to ensure that food and medical products exported from India to the U.S. meet U.S. safety standards. 

Pharma Scandals and Loopholes

Pharmacy - Ajeeb daastaan hy ye...

- kahaa shuru kahaa khatam

👉🏼 Pharmacists lending degree  PhD certificates to colleges, while working elsewhere and appearing in person only on Inspection day.

👉🏼Postfacto signing of all registers and records of the college a day before inspection day.

👉🏼 PCI inspectors ignoring lapses and deficiencies and sending Ok report to PCI for approval or renewal of the College

👉🏼Pharmacists lending Regn certificate to retailers while working elsewhere.

👉🏼 Drugs inspectors suppressing the Pharmacist's absence and allowing dispensing without Pharmacists.

👉🏼PCI and State Regulatory Officers working on paper bundles (false reports) to justify salary of establishment 😄

👉🏼Acts, Rules, Regulations have become Arterial circulation to energise officers to make money

👉🏼Money Money  Money - Venous circulation - to clean and clear hurdles and catches to rejuvenate😄

👉 Honest stakeholders know everything but dont open the mouth being obligated.

😜🤪😝🤑

POV: Bhagwan PS